Press Releases

Fashola Charges Nigerians To Invest In Transportation Sector

Oct 15, 2009 - Lagos Sate Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Thursday challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to consider investing in the transportation sector of the economy, saying it is a sector where much work still needs to be done.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the presentation of the biography of the Chairman of Chisco Transport, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island added that “we have airports to build, we have rail track to build, we have sea ports to build and I think Nigerian spirit of enterprise can deliver it and have no doubt in my mind at all that the Nigerian intellect can manage it”.

The Governor said it is a cruel irony that while so many Nigerian and African governments are running around looking for Foreign Direct Investments there is so much money in the control and custody of so many African sons and daughters lying idle in European and other banks yielding as little as zero point five interest per annum.

He added that now is the time when most Africans especially Nigerians must take the bull by the horn and emulate people like Dr Anyaegbu and invest in the Nigerian economy, adding that it is the critical role being played by people like him that has made it easy for good governance to be brought about.

Transportation is so important to what we do, it determines the quality of life and the nature of our economy. One must salute the courage of men and women like you who have demonstrated their commitment to invest in this economy rather than keep their money in Swiss and llied banks outside this shores.

Said he: “History has demonstrated that we need to move from point to point to get food and that means that you need to work, you need to farm and you need to convey farm products. Transportation therefore becomes the pivotal platform for sustaining modern civilization. I could not have been happier than to be associated with a man who has made my burden easier in public office”.

While reacting to a statement that the Chisco boss “does not like the way politicians do things and believes that a good businessman should not mingle with politicians or dine with them”, Governor Fashola said it is an irony that no successful businessman will thrive if he does not make politicians his friends.

He explained that there is nothing wrong in being a politician but that what should be uppermost is to ensure that only politicians in the mould of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mr Tony Blair, Mr Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher who used public office to serve the people are given pride of place.

He said the Nigerian society must not allow political jobbers who pretend as politicians to have the way, reiterating that it is such people that businessmen must distance themselves from and not selfless politicians.

Said he: “Businessmen need politicians, because politicians have the final say on the policies that affect the prosperity or otherwise of businesses. A bad policy will ruin your business and as I said earlier: ‘good policies need good politics”.

In his address at the event, Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi said from researches carried out on the transportation business sector in Nigeria, Dr Anyaegbu takes the lead role in the prospect recorded in the business.

He implored other “well meaningful Nigerian men and women to also participate in businesses that will move the Nigerian nation forward.

The launch of the biography titled, “You Too Can Do It” was attended many dignitaries including former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.